#guedes

"In Voodoo, the Ghedes (or Guédés) form the family of spirits of death, led by the Barons, Baron Samedi and his wife Man Brigitte. Like their master and "spiritual father", they are noisy, rude, coarse, shameless, love sexual allusions, grieving humor, laughter, dancing, drinking and having fun.

The Night of the Ghedes is a syncretic celebration that pays tribute to them, and takes place on October 31st, at the same time as Halloween, the eve of the Lwas Festival (November 1) and the Feast of the Dead (November 2)

For this occasion, the voodoo practitioners adorn themselves with their colours, purple and black, and disguise themselves as Ghedes or Barons. The young people give up completely, may adopt the behavior of the spirits of death and go "to preach the word of the Baron", going through the nightclubs, bars and evenings, setting the mood everywhere they go, until the early morning, while the older (and younger) simply gather to celebrate with family and friends.

The following day, on the day of the Lwas, a cheerful procession, punctuated by songs and dances, takes place in homage of the Protecting Spirits. It starts in the morning, with the Houngan (Voodoo priest), head of the community, followed by many Voodoo practitioners. Everyone wear the colors and pay tribute to the Lwa who protects them or their family. The procession travels mainly through the working-class districts of the city and ends around noon. The feast continues with the worship ceremonies of the Lwas, an occasion to eat, drink and invoke the spirits, in order to ask for their protection for the coming year. The ceremony usually ends at the beginning of the evening. The place of worship, the Oufo, is secret. It is said that the Deveau’s are the gardians of its entrance.